Colorado Cops Chase Kangaroo — Again

Eastern Grey Kangaroo. Photo by Iván Lojko under CC0 1.0.

When a police officer chases a suspect, they don't usually expect to see a kangaroo bouncing down an alley. But in Durango, Colorado — a town better known for its mountain trains than marsupials — that's exactly what happened. Twice.

The Kangaroo's Second Escape

On May 20, a resident in downtown Durango called authorities after spotting a kangaroo hopping through local neighborhoods. The caller was worried the animal might get hit by a car.

That kangaroo, named Irwin, is no stranger to local police. According to officers, Irwin had also escaped in October 2024, when he was much smaller and easier to catch. At that time, police successfully lured him into a soft bag that mimicked his mother's pouch.

This time, however? "That technique wasn't going to work. The officers were debating whether they needed to lasso it or what the plan was," said Durango Police Commander Nick Stasi, as reported by the Associated Press.

Officer Garrison to the Rescue

The kangaroo, now roughly the size of a medium dog, eventually led officers into a backyard. According to the Associated Press, Officer Shane Garrison — described by his commander as a "farm boy" with experience handling animals — managed to sneak up on Irwin, grab him, and lift him into the back seat of a patrol vehicle.

A bodycam video from another officer showed the capture, which the police department later posted to social media with humorous commentary. "We can't say we saw 'kangaroo roundup' in the job description, but here we are. All in a day's work," the department wrote on Facebook, according to CBS News.

A Legal But Unusual Pet

Kangaroos are legal to own in Colorado, although they're not exactly typical pets.

Irwin was returned to his home near downtown Durango, a town of 20,000 residents best known for its historic train tours through the San Juan Mountains.

Though still young, Irwin won't be small forever. By age 4 or 5, kangaroos can grow taller than most adult men and weigh up to 200 pounds. They can leap great distances, hop faster than most people can run, and pack a punch — or a kick — strong enough to injure a person.

Authorities still don't know how Irwin escaped this time, but Stasi emphasized the need for vigilance among pet owners.

According to CBS News, the Durango Police Department joked on social media that Irwin had earned a new title: "Durango's Most Unexpected Repeat Offender."

A Cautionary Tale for Exotic Pet Owners

While the image of police chasing a kangaroo through Colorado suburbs may seem amusing, the situation highlights real concerns. Exotic animals, while legal in some states, can pose risks to public safety — and to themselves — if not properly secured.

References: Loose pet kangaroo keeps police hopping — again — in Colorado | Police in southwestern Colorado capture kangaroo on the loose — for the second time | Pet kangaroo on the loose keeps police hopping again — in Colorado